Martins feeling good in the car ahead of Qualifying after setting the pace in Melbourne Practice

Victor Martins was pleased to make such a strong start to his season by topping the timesheets of the Melbourne Free Practice, even if he did not get as many laps as he wanted.

The ART Grand Prix driver was in impressive form, going fastest early on with a 1:32.687, before improving to a 1:32.587 on his final attempt to set the pace in the opening session of the year.

The Frenchman completed just 12 laps in a 45-minute outing that was affected by Red Flags. Despite that, Martins is feeling position ahead of Qualifying.

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“Short session, not many laps completed for all of us,” reflected Martins. “But we are happy with where we are, even if we completed just one or two push laps. I have a great feeling in the car, I think we have a bit of data to work on it and approach Qualifying in a good way.

“Again, it's a pleasure to be back driving on a race weekend, being in Melbourne, I love this place, it's really enjoyable.

“Let's see what we can do. Let’s prepare as much as possible, look at what we can look at before Qualifying, and be ready for any situation.”

With just a couple of push laps on the Albert Park track, Martins was asked what the next few hours look like for him in preparation for Qualifying.

“I think for sure if you are a good driver, you try to imagine what you could have done with more laps,” he said.” You think about where you had to improve, where you did a mistake and why.

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“So, I am trying to ask these questions of myself, even if I have done just one or two laps. I know where I can do a better job, what I can probably do with a Supersoft tyre, and maybe with some changes on the car.

“Let’s see. I think I will also watch the Formula 1 sessions, for them to give us some detail and information before Qualifying.”

The drivers ran only with the Medium tyre in Practice and as Martins mentioned, they head into Qualifying set on using the Supersoft. The 23-year-old says it will be about adapting as quickly as possible when they hit the track.

“As I said I think it all comes down to the work you do before Quali and FP,” Martins continued. “After that, it's being in the moment, trying from Turn 1 to see where the car is, what the grip level is, and the feeling in the car.

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“Then after, adapt to it in sector two and three, and then build it from there. You normally have two runs with two sets of tyres.

“You maybe have some time to look at data between the two, so it's all about adaptation, being on it straight away, and getting the confidence. Confidence is playing a big role heading into Qualifying.”